Fly-catcher.



PATENTED DEG. l, 1903.

J. SGHNELL.

FLY GATGHER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

A 770/?NE Y8.

iatented December 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN SCHNELL, OF

MACON, GEORGIA.

FLY-CATCHER.

SPECIFKCATION formingpart of Letters Patent NO. 745,914, dated December 1, 1903.

Application filed April 21, 1903.

T0 (1, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN SCHNELL, asubjeet of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Fly Catchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in that class of fly-catchers in which a surface of some form is smeared or covered with a sticky substance, which may also be attractive and deadly to flies and other insects.

The invention is distinguished by simplicity and cheapness of construction, also by efiectiveness in use, and may be easily and safely transported.

The details of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts are as hereinafter described, and specifically indicated in the claims.

In the accom panying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved fly-catcher with the parts adjusted as in use. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the main or lower portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the base of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a viewillustrating a necessary manipulation of the apparatus to prepare it for use.

A cylindrical post 1 passes through a central passage or tube 2, (see Fig. 2,) with which the holder 3 for the sticky or adhesive substance is provided. The rectangular wooden base 1 is also provided with a central opening, which receives the post 1, as indicated in Fig. 2. The post 1 is preferably constructed of wood for sake of lightness and cheapuess. The holder 3 for the adhesive solution is preferably constructed in cylindrical form, and the passage or tube 2, in which the post 1 is supported and in which it is fitted slidably, is extended from the bottom to the top, it being provided near the latter with lateral openings 2 through which the adhesive substance has access to the post when the holder or can 3 is shaken or else inclined, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The solution employed may have any preferred composition, but should be sufficiently adhesive to cause itto adhere to the post 1 and to hold the flies or other insects thereon when they once come in contact with it. The holder or can 3 is filled through a nozzle 3 smart). 153,675. (No model.)

provided with a suitable cork stopper 5. The mouth or upper end of the passage 2 of the can 3 is normally closed when the post 1 is removed by means of a stopper 6, (see Fig. 1,) which is of such length that when inserted it will prevent the adhesive solution from Howing out through the side passages 2 of the tube 2.

The base 4 is preferably constructed of wood.

In order to prepare the apparatus for use, the cylindrical post 1 is inserted through the base 4 from the bottom upward and then through the tubular passage 2 of the can 3, in which operation the stopper 6 is pushed out or removed. The can 3 maythen be shaken while the post is slid back and forth through the passage 2, in which operation the adhesive solution finds its way through the openings 2, and thus smears the post. It is preferable, however, to incline the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 4, in which case the adhesive solution has constant access to the post,

so that the latter is rapidly smeared. Then the post being drawn up to the position indicated in Figs. 1, 2 the apparatus is ready for use. It will be seen that in such case the post 1 anchors the holder or can 3 on and to the base 4:. Flies or other insects being attracted to the post and alighting thereon will be detained by the sticky coating. When a sufficient number has accumulated on the post, the apparatus is raised and the post pushed down through the holder and base, whereby the adhering insects are forced upward to the top of the post, from which they may be readily removed. The post being then again forced back to its normal position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus is ready for use, as before.

In order to render the apparatus effective in the night-time, a candle or other light-producer7 (see Fig.1) is supported upon the ad'- justable holder 8, connected with the base 4. As represented, the holder 8 consists of a narrow elongated metal plate having a candlesocket at its outer end. The said plate is held slidably in an undercut or groove formed in the under side of the base 4 and is provided with a transverse thumb-piece 8 as indicated in Fig. 3, by which the candle-holder may be slid in or out, as conditions require.

When the light-holder 8 is not required for use, it is slid into the socket provided for it, and thus concealed, as indicated in Fig. 3. When required for use, it is slid out, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1 and dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will be seen that the candle or other light-producer may be adjusted at any required distance from the post lthat is to say, at any distance which experience may demonstrate as the most favorable for attracting insects.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with a fly catcher proper, of a holder for the light-producer which is slidably connected with the catcher proper and thus adapted to be adjusted horizontally at different distances therefrom,substantially as shown and described.

2. In a fly-catcher, the combination, with JOHN SOHNELL.

\Vitnesses:

' FREDERICK WM. GoETTE,

FLEMING MGARTHUR. 

